Walter Scott, Jr. and his wife, Suzanne, were among the foundational philanthropists supporting development of the Summit Bechtel Reserve. Today, some of Summit Bechtel Reserve’s most significant venues honor the Scott name.
Walter, a Distinguished Eagle Scout, had an illustrious career spanning numerous industries. He joined Peter Kiewit Sons’ Inc. early in his career, ultimately becoming chairman, president, and CEO of the company, one of North America’s largest and most respected construction and engineering organizations. During his 19 years as head of the company, it grew and diversified into energy and telecommunications. He was later named chairman emeritus of Kiewit and chairman of Level 3, the company formed from Kiewit’s telecommunications business. Walter also was a director of Berkshire Hathaway, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, and Valmont Industries.
Scouting was a hallmark of Mr. Scott’s life. As a Boy Scout in the 1940s, he collected scrap metal for the war effort before earning the Eagle Scout Award in 1946, and as an adult, he served as president of the Mid-America Council and was recognized with the Distinguished Eagle Scout and Silver Buffalo awards for his service to the youth of America. Mr. Scott often said that the instruction he received as a Scout taught him how to formulate, follow through with, and achieve his biggest goals later in life. “And it was just plain fun,” he said.
